Lantern.



No. 701,276. Patented May 27, I902.

G. L. WILSON.

LANTERN.

:Application filed Aug. 12, 1901.) (No Model.) 3 Sheats$heet l.

Inveniar.

Witnesses:

Qfieq 060 14 611 's (012507? Patented May 27, P902. G L. WILSON.

LANTERN.

-Application filed Aug. 12, 1901.; (No Model.)

3 Sheets-8heet 2.

2 0 w 7 2 v. a M d e t n B t a P N mu n T u 6 6 7 2, m 7 o N iApplicatio n filed Aug. 12, 1901.

3 Sheets-Shoat 3.

(No Model.)

[am/anioneo, fcznai's 15 091.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

GEORGE LANDIS WILSON, OF OAKPARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO F. OORTEZ WILSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LANTERN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 701,276, dated May 27, 1902. Application filed August 12, 1901. Serial No. 71,807. (No model.)

T all who???) it may co cern.-

Be it known that LGEORGE LANDIS WIL- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oakpark, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lanterns, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in such lanterns as require to be ventilated in order to maintain a constant air-supply to keep up the combustion of the illuminatingfiame and which at the same time are so exposed to the elements that the ventilating ducts or passages must be carefully designed and guarded to prevent drafts by which the illuminating-flame will be blown out.

My improvements are more especially intended for locomotive-headlights and lanterns of that class, and are particularly designed with a View to the burning of illuminating-gas, preferably acetylene gas, because of its high illuminating power and ease of gem oration in portable forms of apparatus; but the invention may also be found useful in e 5 other lanterns besides headlights and in lanterns and headlights in which an oil or other flame besides gas is employed as a source of light.

A headlight constructed in accordancewith my invention is formed simply of an outer and inner casing telescoped together with axes coincident and made of similar shape (preferably cylindrical) in cross-section, but of different diameters, so that an annular ventilating space communicating with the outer air is left between the casings. In the approved construction herein illustrated the outer casing is provided with a glazed front, while the inner casing carries the re- 0 fiector and also, as herein shown, the burner, the light from the flame of which is projected by the reflector in through the glazed front of the outer casing. In cases where, as in this instance, the lantern is designed to burn 5 illuminating-gas the supply-pipe leading to the burner will advantageously enter the refiector through a small aperture located centrally behind the burner and concealed thereby, so that the reflector will appear unbroken throughout its entire area and afford a maximum projecting effect on the light. Such supply pipe will conveniently terminate at the rear of the burner and be connected bya flexible tubing with a gas-generator or with a pipe leading from any suitable storage tank 5 5 'or reservoir, and the lantern may then be opened by withdrawing the inner casing without extinguishing the light or in any way interfering with the gas connections. As a further improvement also means will be provided for conveniently interlocking the outer and inner casings concentrically in closed position, consisting of spring latching devices, strong and simple in construction and automatic in operation and so designed as to not interfere with the practical continuity of the annular ventilating-space between the casings and by the use of which the inner casing may be withdrawn or replaced by a single movement of one hand.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved construction in lanterns of the character referred to; and it consists of the matters herein set forth, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective View of a locomotive-headlight embodying my invention in one form. Fig.

2 is a horizontal axial section thereof. Fig.

3 is a rear elevation, partly in section, on line 3 3 of Fig. 4. Fig. l is avertical section taken on line 4t 4: of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a perspective detail of the spring-support for the inner casing. Fig. 6 is a detail View in rear elevation, showing such support in position in the outer casing. Fig. '7 is a perspective detail of the latching device in the outer casing. Fig. 8

is a perspective detail of the connecting part of the latch in the inner casing. Fig. 9 is a perspective sectional detail taken on line 9 9 of Fig. 3, showing the positions of the latch and showing the interlocking position of the two parts of the latch when the lantern is closed.

As shown in said drawings, 1 designates a 5 cylindric outer casing having the usual glazed front 2 and mounted upon any suitable supporting-standards 3. A removable coverplate 4:, Figs. 2 and at, is conveniently provided to protect the glass front 2 when the rod lantern is not in use and may be detachably secured in any suitable manner, as by means of an attached rod 5, the ends 6 and f which are reduced, so as to slip through holes in diametrically opposite brackets 8 and 9 on the casing, a removable cotter-pin 10 being inserted through a perforation in the rod 5 to prevent its being slipped out of said brackets, except when said pin has been removed.

The rear end of the casing 1 is open to receive an inner casing 11, which is of similar shape in cross-section to the outer casing, but is somewhat smaller in diameter, so that when the two are telescoped together concentrically or with their axes coincident an annular space 12 will be left between them throughout their circumference. This space is in communication at its front end with the interior of the lantern and at its rear end is in open communication with the outer air, although herein shown as partly shielded therefrom by an outwardly-fiaring'flange 13 on the rear edge of the inner casing 11. This inner casing is provided with a forwardly-facing reflector 14, at the center of which and near its focus is a burner 15, the light from which when ignited is projected by the reflector through the glazed front of the lantern. Said burner is herein'shown as supported on a stem 16, which extends through a central aperture in the reflector 14 and through a corresponding aperture in a rear wall17 of the casing located just behind the reflector. This stem is screwed into an elbow-fitting 18, that is made fast to the inner side of a bar 19, which extends diametrically across the inner casing some little distance back of the rear wall 17, the space between the front of the fitting 18 and the rear wall 17 being desirably made large enough to permit of the application of a pipe-wrench to the stem 16 at this point for the purpose of removing or replacing the burner, which in itself may not be strong enough to withstand the strainnecessarily incident thereto. The other end of the elbow or fitting is left free for connection with a flexible tube 20, by which the burner may be connected with a gas-generator or other convenient source of supply.

Any suitable device for interlocking the .outer and inner casings in their proper concentric relation may be provided; but such special devices as are herein illustrated are particularly advantageous for the purpose and constitute in themselves an important detail of my improvements. These devices comprise a-yielding or spring bearing 21, provided between the inner and outer casings at one point, and latching members 22 and 23, located, respectively, on the outer and inner casings at a diametrically opposite point. As herein shown, the bearing 21 takes the form of a supporting-plate placed inside of the outer casing, at the bottom thereof, and resting yieldingly upon springs 24, which bear against the casing, guide-bars 25 on the bearing-plate being extended vertically downward through apertures in the casing and then bent laterally, so as to permanently connect 'as prevented by turning up the the bearing-plate with the casing, while permitting its free movement toward and from the latter. The latch member 22, carried by the outer casing, consists of a pair of longitudinally-extending ribs, which project inwardly from said outer casing and are herein shown as formed by the turned-up edges of av common plate 26, that is riveted or otherwise secured to the casing. The forward ends 27 of these ribs are formed to constitute stops that limit the extent to which the inner casing can be inserted in the outer casing, while the rear ends 28of such ribs are notched to hook over the latch member 23, which is herein shown as provided in the form of a circumferential rib or stop riveted or otherwise secured to the exterior of the inner casing, these hooked ends 28 of the ribs 22 being furthermore beveled off, as better shown in Figs. 7 and 0, so that the strap 23 will readily interlock therewith. The inner casing can then be inserted by placing its lower front edge on the bearing-plate 21 and forcing down the latter against the tension of the springs 24 sufiicientlyto permit the uppermostedgeof the easing to enter beneath the ribs 22,whereupon the casing can be forced forward until the strap 23 snaps behind the hooked ends 28 of the ribs and becomes thus interlocked therewith, the stops 27 at the top of the casing and a corresponding stop 29atits bottom serving to properlylimit the inward movement of the casing and determine its proper position longitudinally within the outer casing. The opening of the lantern, on the other hand, can be accomplished by simply pressing the inner casing down against the resistance of the yielding supporting-plate 21 until the strap 23 is free from the ribs 22, whereupon the inner casing may be withdrawn without further difficulty. The bar or plate 19, which supports the burner, may conveniently be used as a handle during the operation of opening or closing the lantern, which can thus be accomplished without difficulty by practically but a single movement of but one hand. Rotary movement of the inner casing is herein shown ends of its ribs 23 to form stops 30, betweenfwhich the ribs 22 on the outer casing are loosely embraced.

A lantern of the construction thus described is particularly Well adapted for use in connection with a portable form of acetylene-gas generator as a high-power headlight for locomotives and for use in other exposed places, since the annular ventilating-space provided, if properly proportioned, is found to supply plenty of air to maintain combustion at the burner and to keep the lantern cool, but to be practically impervious to any air-currents which would tend to cause the light to flicker or go out. If the ventilatingspace is made too large, the flame is liable to flicker badly, particularly at high speeds. If made too small,the lantern is liable to get sohot as to break the glass,while if closed entirely the light would of course be extinguished. The

unbroken or completely-continuous reflectorsurface provided around the burner projects the light forward with maximum effect, and any difiusion of the light through the ven tilating-space in a direction which might interfere with the sight of the men on the engine is prevented by the annular flange at the back of the lantern. The construction is also advantageous because of the absence of hinges, bolts, or other parts likely to become loose, particularly under intense vibration to which locomotive-headlights are subjected, while the simplicity of the design makes the first cost of the lantern relatively low and reduces repairs to a minimum.

I claim as my invention 1. A lantern comprising a front casing glazed at its front and open at its rear end, a rear casing closed at its rear and open at its front end, said casings being telescoped together and the entering casing being made smaller than the opening in the outer casing to afford ventilating-space between them, and an inclosed burner,substantially as described.

2. A lantern comprising an outer-casing glazed at its front and open at its rear end, an inner casing open at its front and closed at its rear end, the inner casing being telescoped into the outer casing and made smaller in cross-section than the opening in the latter to afford ventilating-space between the casings, and an inclosed burner in the inner casing, substantially as described.

8. A lantern comprising an outer casing glazed at its front and open at its rear end, an inner casing open at its front and closed at its rear end, the inner casing being telescoped into the outer casing and made smaller in cross-section than the opening in, the latter to afiord ventilating-space between the casings, an annular shielding-flange at the rear of the ventilating-space, and-an inclosed burner, substantially as described.

4. A lantern comprising an outer casing glazed at one end and open at the other, an inner casing telescoping into the open end of the outer casing and made smaller to provide an annular ventilating-space between the easings, a reflector in the inner casing facing toward the glazed end of the outer casing, and an inclosed burner.

5. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner casing telescoping into the outer casing and made smaller to afford a ventilating air-space between the casings, and an annular flange on the inner casing extending out behind the rear edges of the outer casing but separated therefrom so as to leave an outlet for the ventilating air-space.

6. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner casing telescoping into the outer casing,a spring-bearing between the casings, and an opposite latching device between the easings held normally in engagement by the pressure of the spring-bearing.

7. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner casing telescoping into the outer casing, a spring-bearing between the casings, and interlocking transverse and longitudinal ribs on the casings opposite the spring-bearing and normally held in engagement thereby.

8. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner casing telescoping into the outer casing, a spring supporting-plate in the outer casing against which the inner casing yieldingly rests, and latching members located between the casings opposite the spring-bearings and held normally interlocked thereby.

9. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner easing telescoping into the outer casing, a spring-bearing in the outer casing against which the inner casing yieldingly rests, longitudinal notched ribs on the outer casing opposite the yielding bearing, and a transverse rib on the inner casing normally held interlocked with the notched ribs by the pressure of the spring-bearing.

10. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner casing telescoping into the outer casing, a longitudinal rib on one casing and a transverse rib on the other casing interlock ing therewith, said ribs being opposite the yielding bearing and normally held in engagement thereby, and stops embracing the longitudinal ribs to prevent relative rotation of the casings.

11. A lantern comprising an outer casing, an inner casing telescoping into the outer casing and made smaller to provide a ventilating-space between the casings, a burner within the inner casing, a stem projecting forwardly through the rear wall of the casing and supporting the burner, a cross-bar on the casing behind its rear wall, and a fitting on said cross-bar to which said burner-stem is detachably connected.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention 1 affix my signature, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 5th day of August, A. D. 1901.

GEORGE LANDIS WILSON.

Witnesses:

N. A. COSTELLO, B. A. DAVY. 

